Electric terminal construction



June 13, 1961 A. AGRON ETA].

ELECTRIC TERMINAL CONSTRUCTION Filed July 50, 1956 ALBERT AGRON 8 ROBERTA. CLIFFORD,

IN VEN TORS.

HUEBNER, BEEHLER,

WORREL 8 HERZ/Gr By ATTORNEYS.

United States atent S UC I N o no d V ert A. Clifford, West povnla, Cahfi, assiguor's to Twin Isoclr, Iriciirporate'd, a corporation of California Filed July 30, 1956', Ser. No. 600,883 6 (Cl. 339198) This invention relates to an electric terminal connector, and particularly to such a connector for use in rapidly making and breaking connections in electric circuitry.

It frequently is desirable or necessary to construct circuits for experimental or production purposes where rapid connection and disconnectionpf a multiplicity of electric terminals must be made. Also, in some applications, such as in experimental work, it frequently is necessary to change the electrical values of certain components in a circuit. Electric terminal connections and disconnections are necessary to attain certain performance characteristics. I a

For example, on production line operations, it is necessary to check out electrical equipment being produced before final soldering of the circuits. This is done so that it is certain all errors have been removed from the circuits. In such work, it is desirable that the electrical connections must be tight and securely made. The connections should offer a minimum resistance or voltage loss in addition to being conveniently and rapidly made and unmade. Such connectors should be capable of use many times over to avoid considerable costly waste of connectors and connecting'rn'aterials which frequently happens'in experimental, construction and check-out work on electric circuits and equipment.

Accordingly, it is an important object of the invention to provide an electrical terminal connector that will permit the rapid making of tight connections and the rapid and convenient breaking of such terminal connections.

It is another object of the invention to provide an electric terminal'connec'tor that will facilitate the process of construction of experimental or production electrical equipment.

Another object is to provide an electric terminal conhector which will speed-up circuitry operations where frequent changes of the electrical values and connections are necessary to obtain certain desired performance characteristics. A further object is to provide electric connector means foi-speedy check-out of electric equipment on a production line basis so that errors or faulty components in the circuitry can be corrected before the final soldering operation is performed.

Additional objects will become apparent from the following description.

Stated in very general terms, the invention comprehends the provision of an electric terminal connector comprising a rigid strip or yoke having a generally horizontal portion and an approximately vertical portion. A screw is threadedly engaged in the generally horizontal portion and a resilient strip is disposedadjacentthe rigid strip in association with the screw. The resillent strip is adapted to engage an electric terminal between the rigid and the resilient strip with varying degrees of tightness, as determinedby the degree of threaded engagement of the screw in the rigid strip.

It should be understood that the terms resilient and rigid are used herein in their relative sense. In addition, the word rigid is intended to comprehend any material rigid or otherwise which is capable of being maintained relatively rigid.

The rigrdjst'rip o'r yoke preferably is provided with two approximately vertical portions in spaced relation with each other. In this preferred embodiment, the resilient strip also is provided with two spaced portions. Ea'chof these portions is designed to be disposed adjacent one of the spaced rigid strip portions. The resilient strip is placed intermediate the two approximately vertical por tions of the rigid strip so that at least two separate electric terminals can be connected in the two separate connecting regions between the resilient and rigid strips.

A more detailed description of two specific embodiments of the invention is given with reference to the drawing, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an enlarged view showing a battery of six terminal connectors constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention mounted side-by-side in an insulated housing;

FIGURE 2 is aseetional elevational view taken on the line 2-'-2 ofFIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional elevational view taken on the line 33 of FIGURE 2;

, FIGURE4 is a sectional elevational view similar to thatof FIGURE 3 showing the terminal connector connecting three electrical terminals;

FIGURE 5 is a partial perspective view showing in detail a wedge means used in the terminal connector; and

FIGURE 6 is a sectional elevational view similar to that of FIGURE 4 showing another embodiment of the invention.

In the embodiment shown in FIGURES 1 to 5 of the drawing, a rigid conducting strip or yoke 10 contains a generally horizontal portion 11 and two spaced, substantially vertical portions 12. These portions deviate about 5 from. the vertical. The horizontal portion is provided with a central tapped hole 13 in which is threadedly engaged screw 14. The screw contains usual screw head 16 provided with a drive slot for a screw driver. 7

A resilient strip or spring 17 also contains 'a horizontal portion 18 and two spaced vertical portions 19. The spring also is provided with a central hole 22 which is positioned in alignment with the threaded hole 13. A loop 21 is formed on each end of the spring out of the spring material. The loops preferably are made of such diameter that they resiliently engage the inner wall of spaced vertical portions 12, as best shown in FIGURE 3.

A wedge assembly 23, shown in detail in FIG. 5, made of two crossed members 24, is disposed on spring 17 between vertical portions 19 thereof. The crossed members 24 are notched at 26 sufliciently to receive the screw 14 between the notches. The members 24 contain generally flat portions 27, then curve upward at an angle greater than to form side portions 29, and 'fin'ally curve outward horizontally at an angle of about 90 to form hook portions 30. The lower edges 28 of flat portions 27 bear against the inside surface of horizontal portion 18 of spring 17. The resilient strip 17 exerts 'a normal spring tension outwardly toward the inside surfaces of the upturned or vertical sides 12 of yoke 10 with a relatively light pressure, to makecaptive any terminals or lugs initially inserted into the region between portion 12 0f the yoke and loop 21 of spring 17.

This condition is shown on the left side of FIGURE 4. The slotted portions 26 of wedges 24 allow suflicient clearance between respective edges 26a and screw 14 to permit self-alignment of wedge assembly 23 between the opposite sides 12 of the yoke as when one terminal 32 is inserted on one side and two terminals 32 are inserted on the other side, as shown for example in FIGURE 4, or otherwise when the installation is non-symmetrical as between opposite sides of any unit (e.g. FIGURE 2) 'of'the "connector assembly. This feature allows alplu- Patented June 13, 1961 rality of terminals to be inserted and/or tightly secured in any one cavity or connector.

For more securely snapping into contact position (see FIG. 4) lug 31 is provided with a dimple 33, and portion 12 of theyoke is provided with a hole or aperture 34 pcsitioned to receive the dimple when the lug is snapped into position. When two lugs are inter-connected, as shown at the right on FIGURE 4, the surface containing the dimples are arranged inopposed relationship with each other so that the dimples project outwardly. One of the dimples preferably lodges in an aperture or hole 34 and the other preferably lodges under the outer surface of the loop 21.

After the lugs are inserted as described above, the con- 7 nection between lug 31 and the terminal connector is made permanent in the following manner: screw 14 is turned farther into the tapped hole 13 of the yoke so that wedge 23 is simultaneously urged downward and spread outward by the action of screw head 16 on fiat portions 27 and on lower edges 28. As screw 14 is driven downward, side portions 29 of wedge 23 spread farther apart and increased pressure is brought to bear onconnected lugs 31 through loops 21. The notched grips flat portion 27 of wedges 23, preferably permit a fiexure of this wedge assembly to allow variation in tightening pressure caused by varying numbers of terminals inserted in any unit of the assembly.

, The final resultant movement and bearing action of wedges 23, when screw 14 is tightened, is in a tight secure outward direction against the terminals. This outward thrust very tightly engages lugs 31 between loops 21 and portions 12 of yoke 10 to form very tight connection, having relatively little electrical resistance or voltage loss. The resulting connection is permanent and secure and has been found to withstand about 40 to 60 pounds of pulling force.

In an actual terminal construction, the yoke 10 was made of half-hard brass strip about .0625 inch thick. The spring 17 was made of spring steel (SAE 1095) or could have been made of beryllium copper (Spec MIL-C-6942- A Cond A) strip about .010 to .015 inch thick, and wedge members 24 were made of spring steel (SAE 1095) about 0.40 inch thick.

The electrical terminal connectors of the invention preferably are used in groups, as shown in FIGURE 1. The connectors are mounted side-by-side in a housing made of insulating material, such as plastic materials. The side walls 36 of the housing are provided at their upper ends with an over-hang 37 designed to retain the yoke 10 in position in the housingagainst any outward pull. The

bottom 38 of the housing is provided with a well 39 to accommodate the up and-down movement of the screw -14. Vertical partition members 41 are moulded transversely between adjacent connector assemblies as shown in FIGURES 1 and 3. 'The various parts such as upper portion 36 and lower portion 38 can be cemented or bolted together to form a strong, protective housing for a battery of connectors.

Another specific embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGURE 6. In this embodiment, the re-entrant portion 42 is formed in the horizontal portion 43 of yoke 44. The re-entrant portion is provided with tapped hole 46 for threaded engagement of screw 14. The spring 47 is in a generally inverted position in comparison to the spring 17 used in the embodiment of FIGURES 1 to 5. The horizontal portion 48 of the spring is provided with a central hole 49 to receive screw 14. The head 16 of the screw is positioned to bear on the upper surface of the horizontal portion 48, as shown. The side portions 51 of spring 47 curve downwardly into engagement with the inside surfaces of the side portions 52 of the yoke 44 and then curve inwardly away from these portions toward the outsides of re-entrant portion 42.

When screw 14 is partially screwed into tapped hole 46, a relatively light degree of pressure is brought to bear on lug 31 of terminal 32 shown in phantom while the lug is positioned between side portion 5 1 of spring 47 and side portion 52 of yoke 43. The side portions 51 can be provided with suitably spaced holes 53 and the side portions 52 can be provided with holes or apertures 54 to impart a snap-action to the lugs 31 by cooperating with dimples 33, as described above.

The pressure on lugs 31 can be progressively increased by turning screw 14 into tapped hole 46 to hold one or more lugs 31, as described above. With the inward turning of screw 14 into tapped hole 46, ends 56 of resilient strip 47 come into engagement with the outsides of reentrant portion 42, as shown in FIGURE 6. Screw positions up to this point produce pressures suitable for temporary connections.

Additional inward turning of screw 14 causes an increased pressure application against lugs 31 as the ends 56 are held in place and spring 47 is flattened. These greater pressures are suitable for permanent connections. Screw 14 is turned inward until the desired degree of tightness is achieved for making the permanent connection. When more than one lug 31 is being connected, screw 14 will not be turned inward as far as in the case of only one lug.

The embodiment of FIGURE 6 also can be used in a battery of connectors and housed in an insulating housing, if desired, as described above in the case of the embodiment of FIGURES l to 5. The housed battery of connectors can be fastened to a mounting, such as a panel board, by a bolt or screw passing through a hole 57 at either end of the housing. The connectors of FIGURES l to 6 can be used adjacent a cable carrying a plurality of electrical lines as indicated in FIG. 1 in phantom.

While we have herein shown and described our invention in what we have conceived to be the most practical and preferred forms, it is recognized that departures can be made therefrom within the scope of our invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein, but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent structure.

Having described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An electric terminal connector comprising, a generally U-shaped rigid conductor, the inner faces of the legs thereof defining terminal engaging faces, a resilient conductor of generally U-shape between the legs of said rigid conductor and having its leg portions yieldably hearing against said inner faces to define resilient terminal clamps therewith, said resilient conductor and said rigid conductor arranged in nested relation with their legs extending in the same direction, and adjustable screw means having a threaded element threadedly engaging the intermediate portion of said rigid conductor and means engaging said adjustable screw means, said means engaging said resilient conductor comprising a pair of crossed elements, each element having one end bearing on said resilient conductor adjacent the base of one leg thereof and its other end bearing against the other leg thereof adjacent its outer end, said threaded element having a head bearng against the outer faces of said crossed elements.

2. An electric terminal construction including in combination a mounting formed of non-electrically conducting material, a U-slot formed in said mounting, a first U- shaped member formed of electrically conducting material disposed within said slot with the legs thereof bearing against sides of said slot for support, inner faces of the legs of said member defining terminal engaging faces, a second U-shaped member having a first bearing portion yieldably bearing against one of said terminal engaging faces and a second bearing portion yield-ably bearing against the remaining terminal engaging face defining resilient terminal clamps between the inner faces of said first U-shaped member and the outer faces of said first and second bearing portions, said first and second bearing portions being formed of a resilient material, and means engaged with said first and second bearing portions for adjusting the pressure between said bearing portions and said terminal engaging faces.

3. An electric terminal connector comprising a generally U-shaped rigid conductor, the inner faces of the legs thereof defining terminal engaging faces, a resilient conductor of generally U-shape positioned between the legs of said rigid conductor and having the outer faces of the legs thereof yieldably bearing against said inner faces of said rigid conductor to define resilient terminal clamps between the inner faces of said legs of said rigid conductor and the outer faces of said legs of said resilient conductor, adjustable screw means having a threaded element threadably engaging the intermediate portion of said rigid conductor for varying the pressure of said leg portions of said resilient conductor against said inner faces of said rigid conductor said resilient conductor having its legs outwardly bowed and extending inwardly along said inner faces of said rigid conductor and its intermediate portion faced outwardly from the intermediate portion of said rigid conductor, said threaded element having a head bearing against the outer face of the intermediate portion of said resilient conductor.

4. An electric terminal construction including in combination a mounting of electrically non-conducting material, a U-slot formed in saidmounting, a first U-shaped member disposed within said slot with its base adjacent the base of said slot and its legs having portions thereof bearing against portions of the legs of said slot for support, the inner faces of the legs of said first U-shaped member defining terminal engaging faces, a second inverted U-shaped member disposed between the legs of said first U-shaped member and having leg portions yieldably bearing against said inner faces to define terminal clamps between the inner faces of said legs of said first U- shaped member and the outer faces of said leg portions of said second U-shaped member, at least one of said U- shaped members being resilient and at least one of said U- shaped members being formed from an electrical conducting material, said first U-shaped member having its base formed with a threaded opening, adjustable screw means having a threaded portion thereon threadedly engaging said opening, and means engaging said adjustable screw means and said second U-shaped member and responsive to said adjustable screw means to vary the relative pressure between said leg portion of said second memher and said =leg portions of said first member.

5. An electrical terminal construction including in combination a mounting formed of an electrically non-conducting material, a first rigid member formed of electrically conducting matenial securedly mounted to said mounting with one side thereof defining terminal engaging faces, a second member having a first resilient bearing portion thereon yieldably bearing against one of said terminal engaging faces and a second resilient bearing portion thereof yieldably bearing against the remaining one of said terminal engaging faces, said first and second resilient hearing portions of said second member defining the sides of an inverted substantially U-shaped structure, the outside faces of said first and second resilient bearing portions forming resilient terminal engaging clamps with said terminal engaging faces of said first member, the open end of said substantially U-shaped structure the sides of which are defined by said first and second bearing portions facing away from said rigid member, said first U- shaped member having its base formed with a threaded opening, adjustable screw means having a threaded portion threadedly engaging said opening, and means engaging said adjustable screw means and said first and second bearing portions and responsive to said adjustable screw means for varying the pressure between the outer faces of said first and second bearing portions and said terminal engaging faces of said first member.

6. An electric terminal connector comprising, a generally U-shaped rigid conductor, the inner faces of the legs of said rigid conductor defining terminal engaging faces, a resilient conductor of generally U-shape positioned between the legs of said rigid conductor, the leg portions of said resilient conductor yieldably bearing against said inner faces of said rigid conductor to define resilient terminal clamps therewith, said resilient conductor and said rigid conductor arranged in nested relation with their legs extending in the same direction, and adjustable screw means having a threaded element threadedly engaging the intermediate portion of said rigid conductor and means engaging said adjustable screw means and said resilient conductor, said means engaging said screw means and said resilient conductor comprising a pair of crossed elements, each element having a substantially inclined flat portion and :a substantially horizontal flat portion and a substantially vertical flat portion intermediate said inclined and horizontal portions, each of said inclined portions having a notched out portion therein, the mirror image of the notched out portion of the other, each element having the end of the inclined portion spaced from said vertical portion bearing on said resilient conductor adjacent the base of one leg thereof and said substantially vertical portion bearing against the other leg of said resilient conductor adjacent its outer end, said notched out portions in said inclined portions adapted to permit the other inclined portion of the other crossed elements to pass through and adapted also to permit said threaded element to pass through, said threaded element having a head bearing against the outer faces of said crossed elements adjacent said notched out portions in said inclined portions of said crossed elements.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 11,878,779 Jung et a1. Sept. 20, 1932 1,979,091 Alsaker et al Oct. 30, 1934 2,240,771 Hammerly May 6, 1941 2,422,589 Samzelius June 17, 1947 2,437,339 Webster Mar. 9, 1948 2,549,134 Shaback Apr. 17, 1951 2,695,968 Welch et al Nov. 30, 1954 2,774,055 Batcheller Dec. 11, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 211,884 Germany July 9, 1909 726,633 Germany Oct. 16 1942 

